SD1 V8 EFi VDP renovation & Morris Minor Restomod

[PRN2K]

After building my first project, a 2.0 16V Morris Minor Convertible before PH even existed, I'm contemplating documenting my DIY renovation of a just-acquired SD1 V8 EFi VDP (3.9) - it might look tidy but was last MOT'd 2007!

[MikeHo]

Omg it's one of my dad's old cars

[Mr Tidy]

That's lovely.

I bought my first Capri 2.8i in 1984 from someone in Reigate who had just bought a VDP that colour as his children were getting bigger!

[Cambs_Stuart]

That looks fantastic. Really like to see more

[Tin Hat]

Simply a great looking car, I will be keen to see what happens next!

[PRN2K]

As I already have a Z4 daily and a heavily modified Minor for summer fun, I wanted a burbly V8 to rumble around in on longer weekend trips. My plans are therefore are to refresh it and sympathetically update it to be usable. Interior is tired so will keep me busy for a while. Biggest question will be whether the 3-speed auto will irritate me enough into going either ZFHP22 4-speed or LT77...

[Triumph Man]

PRN2K said:

As I already have a Z4 daily and a heavily modified Minor for summer fun, I wanted a burbly V8 to rumble around in on longer weekend trips. My plans are therefore are to refresh it and sympathetically update it to be usable. Interior is tired so will keep me busy for a while. Biggest question will be whether the 3-speed auto will irritate me enough into going either ZFHP22 4-speed or LT77...

Mmm looks lovely :thumbp:

Hubnut did a video of the VDP EFi vs 827, and with the 3 speed auto the SD1 was woefully undergeared...

[PRN2K]

Although I love so much about the car - the Daytona-esque styling, the V8 soundtrack, Moonraker Blue paint (even sounds cool), the unique dash, etc. The are details I must change:

1 too many interior colours - I’ll restore both the leather seats and the light blue door cards in Osprey

Prussian Blue dash has cracks but is rare & unique and worth keeping - so will also restore the matching carpets

Steering wheel grates - but original is huge, so maybe a Momo 4-spoke?

The exhaust. It’s a full stainless system with tubular manifolds but I hate the rear view. It’s so low! I’m amazed it didn’t have a tunnel to pass through as the boot is clear of the spare wheel on that side. I may do the first severe fabrication to make one as these things matter to me (see my Minor solution)…

[PRN2K]

And of course the towbar has to go!

[tihouss]

Nice SD1, but I have to ask: is there a thread on your Minor somewhere??!!? That looks wonderful!

[PRN2K]

I don’t have a thread on the Moggy as I started building it 20 years ago! Suffice to say I appreciate that there’s more interest in following a build than observing the finished article-but here’s a few shots

[PRN2K]

It was featured by PPC in 2014 however

[PRN2K]

And ironically, now with a trailing four-bar & watts linkage, a better located rear axle than the SD1! 😳

[PRN2K]

However, I never really felt it finished until I finally had some 15” Fiesta space saver rims professionally banded to complete the Restomod look….

[KelvinatorNZ]

PRN2K said:

And of course the towbar has to go!

I'd be surprised if you don't get pretty bad exhaust fume ingress through the tailgate with the exhaust like that. There is a reason the SD1 has the swan neck pipe out to the side.

Looks like a nice car, and not too much work to get going again. VDP EFIs are one of the rarest of the bunch now.

I'd be interested to know if you do get any further on the ZF auto; there is always a bit of discussion around it, rumors a couple of people have done it, but no hard evidence of it having been done. A couple of people claim it wont clear the trans tunnel/firewall, but even that isn't confirmed. I don't mind the 3 speed, but it is a very lazy transmission, made for cruising not racing (suits me fine).

[PRN2K]

Fair point and worth addressing even if I can't raise the backbox as SD1's are infamous for water leaking into the boot around the seal and the light clusters that sounds likely!

There's some light panel corrosion under those lights and the rear doors but the holes in rear inner sill to wheel arch area are a bigger task.

I calculate top gear is 25.7mph/1000rpm vs 30 for the 5-speed manual. With peak torque of around 340Nm @ 2500rpm for the Disco 3.9 it's matching 4-speed auto is very tempting for relaxed cruising (and better economy!) as it would give me 35mph/1000rpm with the current 2.85:1 diff or 32.5 with the manual 3.08:1 diff.

I understand the 2 big issues with fitting that gearbox is that it was rotated on the bellhousing to clear the Disco front propshaft and transfer case, requiring them to enlarge the sump which then fouls the SD1 tunnel. So I either 'un-rotate it', enlarge the tunnel or fabricate a new sump. The second issue is tracking down a 2WD tailshaft housing from a BMW or Jag to close the box instead of that transfer case.

[daqinggregg]

What is this (3.9) you mention, has the engine been bored out, what other mods does it have? If the Moggy is anything to go by, this will look fantastic when finished.

I had one when I was at uni (sadly only 2600SE) took it on a 1 month road trip to France, Portugal and Spain, it drew a lot of attention.

Yes the original steering wheel is large, but smaller one’s look out of place IMO. Cracking looking car and the best colour, more pics please.

[stevemcs]

Will we need to wait 20 years to see this finished? (Minor looks really nice)

[PRN2K]

The Minor was a custom build from a bare shell as a new floor & sills were needed. This is a 1 year stop-gap to keep me occupied before I move to get a double garage for another yet undecided big build project.....

A previous owner (of 8!) fitted a 9.35:1cr Disco 3.9 block (stamped 36D01119A), exhaust system, kenlowe fan, cone air filter & steering wheel but unfortunately removed the Air Con compressor (and fan guard!). I think everything else is standard, including the plenum & Flapper EFi system. I'm away at the moment but will investigate further by checking valve lift, ECU etc.

[PRN2K]

As for road trips, I do intend some European tours as I did with the Minor & family during 2 weeks down to Sorrento via Lake Garda, Venice & Rome with Monaco on the return followed by a sudden detour to Barcelona for work..... Happy memories!